Sir Walsingham, the British Ambassador to the Qing Empire, had naturally accepted the Qing government’s favors and wouldn't let them down.
Otherwise, how could he continue to receive more favors from the Qing government?
Immediately, Sir Walsingham submitted a report to the British mainland, reporting through a telegram to ensure the message reached the hands of Robert Cecil, the British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, in the shortest time.
After reading the contents of the telegram, Robert Cecil was also very interested, believing it to be an excellent opportunity.
As the Prime Minister of the British Empire and arguably the most powerful person on the planet, Robert Cecil was under immense pressure.
Maintaining the strength of the British Empire and suppressing other rising nations was his mission.
This would ensure the stability of the British Empire’s hegemony.
“Send for the other Cabinet Ministers. Call an emergency meeting!” Robert Cecil instructed.
“Yes, Prime Minister!” the secretary immediately went to make arrangements.
Half an hour later, a group of British Cabinet Ministers gathered in the Prime Minister’s meeting room, and the meeting formally began.
“Gentlemen, have you all read the report sent back by our Ambassador to the Qing Empire, Sir Walsingham? What are your thoughts on this?” Robert Cecil asked.
“Prime Minister, the Empire indeed has many interests in the Qing Empire. Many of our goods need to be sold to the Qing Empire. The civil war in the Qing Empire will inevitably affect the Empire’s interests.
Moreover, the Qing government has formally requested our assistance in suppressing the rebellion. This is an excellent opportunity for us, an opportunity for the Empire to dominate the Qing Empire and outpace other powers.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Goschen, was the first to speak.
“God! Are you going to send the Imperial Army to the Qing Empire to fight the Beiyang Army? The Imperial Army needs to travel thousands of miles to the far east and fight against the Beiyang Army equipped with German weapons. That’s not a good idea.” The Secretary of State for War, Edward Stanhope, immediately expressed his concerns.
The British Army was not large. The Boer War, which ended a few years ago, the First Boer War, had cost the British a considerable price.
Robert Cecil couldn’t help but frown.
If the British Army went to the Far East to participate in the war, it would be unfavorable.
Heavy casualties would inevitably lead to significant unrest and backlash within the country.
It would be difficult to control the situation then.
“If necessary, the Royal Navy can blockade the coastal areas of the Qing Empire or blockade the coastlines of the rebel-held areas to prevent them from purchasing weapons and equipment from the Germans. The Germans wouldn’t dare do anything to us!” The First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord George Hamilton, looked confident.
The mighty Royal Navy gave him confidence.
After all, the current Royal Navy was the world’s leading navy, the master of the seas.
Even though the Germans had begun planning to build a powerful navy.
Compared to the British Empire, they were simply not a threat.
The Royal Navy of the British Empire had the world’s largest fleet of ironclad ships.
Just the ‘Admiral Class’ ironclad ships currently under construction numbered six, with a displacement of over ten thousand tons and equipped with two twin-mounted 25-caliber 343 mm main guns.
Once these steel behemoths were commissioned, they would be the most powerful warships in the world.
“The Beiyang Army has a naval fleet, but it is not strong. With the strength of the Royal Navy, it can easily defeat them. However, the Empire does not seem to need to directly participate in this war.
After all, the ground forces are the real deciding factor in this Qing civil war.
The Imperial Army should avoid being drawn into such a large-scale ground war as much as possible.”
Robert Cecil said.
The other British Cabinet Ministers all nodded in agreement.
“Prime Minister, how about the Empire mediating this war? Let the Qing government and the Beiyang Army negotiate. If they can resolve the issue peacefully, it would be the best outcome. The Empire won’t have to pay any price and can still gain the benefits promised by the Qing Empire.
Of course, if mediation fails, we must also avoid getting personally involved in the war. We can cut off the supply of weapons and equipment from the Germans to the Beiyang Army.
Even persuade other countries to join this war. For example, the Empire of Japan, aren’t they steadily expanding their army? Let them enter the war early. It will also be practical training for their army.
The Empire can gain the greatest benefit at the lowest cost.”
The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Baron Henry Holland, proposed.
“Baron, this is a good idea!” Robert Cecil nodded repeatedly.